Best Tent Camping near Tonopah, AZ

Looking for the best options for tent camping near Tonopah? The Dyrt is an easy way to find tent camping spots near Tonopah. Whether you're looking for a quiet, dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.

Best Tent Sites Near Tonopah, Arizona (3)

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Recent Tent Reviews near Tonopah, Arizona

289 Reviews of 3 Tonopah Campgrounds


  • Chenery K.
    Camper-submitted photo from Constellation Park
    Oct. 21, 2017

    Constellation Park

    Plan Ahead - Check the Events Calendar for Wickenburg!

    I've been trail riding in the Wickenburg area since I was a kid, and the rodeo grounds across the street from Constellation Park is a gathering site for just about everyone who heads out into the desert on their 4-legged transportation. On my most recent visit to Constellation Park, the park and rodeo grounds were empty, but this place fills up fast whenever there are events scheduled, and the sites are first come, first served with NO reservations system, so plan ahead!

    There are 35 dry camp sites along a dirt road north of the rodeo grounds on Constellation Road in Wickenburg - they are primitive dry sites with no tents allowed - all camping must be self contained. Site fees are $8 per night, or $12 per night to have a horse corral included. Yes, I'm confused too - horses are ok, but tents are not? I'm not sure what the logic for self contained camping is for these sites, as they would make excellent car camping/tenting sites, but I'm not the one who makes the rules.

    The park opens onto state and BLM land, which you can ride or backpack into with a permit -

    https://land.az.gov/recreational-permit-portal

    Wickenburg is already a relatively quiet town with not much traffic outside the US 60 / US 93 interchange for people traveling from Phoenix to Las Vegas, so it's nice and quiet up here. The road undulates up over small rises, so unless there's a late night at the rodeo arena, there are no lights to compete with the star gazing show either. Again, tent camping would make so much sense here. . .

    I'd give the park 5 stars for the pretty desert views, quiet location and big skies if you were allowed to enjoy them outside of an RV. Oh well, we don't get everything we want, right?

  • Staci R.
    Camper-submitted photo from Leaf Verde RV Resort
    Sep. 18, 2017

    Leaf Verde RV Resort

    RV parking lot

    No tent camping. RV camping only. That being said, this is a giant parkinglot for RV "camping" that is popular with Snowbirds being it is close to groceries, store fronts and I10. There is a swimming pool, "The Barn", a salon, and a horseshoe pit.

  • Staci R.
    Camper-submitted photo from Constellation Park
    Sep. 17, 2017

    Constellation Park

    Rodeo drive of primitive campgrounds

    No tent camping. Self contained RVs only. Constellation park campground hosts horse events and rodeos that draw crowds from everywhere and of all ages. Campground is directly across the street from all horse and rodeo activities so this is very convenient if you are in the area for horsemanship.

  • Tony C.
    Camper-submitted photo from White Tank Mountain
    Nov. 8, 2021

    White Tank Mountain

    Chollas everywhere, plenty of options

    This park is quite large and has many camping options: day passes, tent camping, semi-developed sites, and fully-developed sites with awnings for big rigs.

    There are many hiking trails too, for every level of difficulty.

    The nature is splendid, with hummingbirds, chipmunks, and plenty of chollas and prickly pear cactai.

    The ambience is quite festive, much more than what I am used to (although the noise may be due to the fact I went on NASCAR weekend).

  • Jordan S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Saddle Mountain BLM (Tonopah, AZ)
    Jan. 13, 2024

    Saddle Mountain BLM (Tonopah, AZ)

    Rock Solid Camping

    Love this Saddle Mtn Campsite! The pin location is accurate but it looks there are multiple different access routes. We really enjoyed it here because you can pull up within 50-100 yards from Saddle mountain and camp right below it. So cool.

    We tent camped for about 5 days here, the crowd was minimal, felt very safe. Plenty of trails to walk, can explore the mountain and there are petroglyphs here. We only found a couple, but didn’t look too hard.

    Overall loved this place, easy access, safe, fun and some cool views!

  • P
    Camper-submitted photo from White Tank Mountain
    May. 29, 2020

    White Tank Mountain

    Beautiful and close to town

    This park is so close to town, but far enough that you feel like you are way out. There are standard campsites (water and electric) as well as tent camping area. The sites can fit good sized rigs.  There is a ton of trails for hiking, biking, and horses. Brand new showers, restrooms, and a dishwashing area. Dogs are allowed, but please keep them on a leash and pick up after them so we don't lose the privilege!

    Here is a link to the Maricopa parks with maps: https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/maps/

  • Justin M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Maricopa County Park Lake Pleasant
    Apr. 23, 2023

    Maricopa County Park Lake Pleasant

    Enjoyable time

    Camped 5 nights at the desert tortoise campground in my NoBo travel trailer. Semi developed so no hook ups. Bathrooms were clean and the area was well kept. The spot includes a ramada with picnic table. There is also a fire ring pit w/ grill which you’ll need to bring firewood for. I fished off the shoreline which was only a few hundred feet from my spot. The spots are relatively close to each other and tent camping is also allowed. Water is clear and very nice. Wild donkeys from old miners back in the day still roam around. They are very accustomed to humans so won’t hesitate to steal food. Definitely something to watch pets around as well.

  • Val W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Ramblin’ Roads RV Resort
    Jul. 18, 2020

    Ramblin’ Roads RV Resort

    Nice little surprise in the middle of nowhere Arizona

    Cute little RV park in the middle of nowhere, Arizona. We stopped for a quick overnight while transiting back to Nevada. Definitely resupply before arrival. There's not much around and the fuel station across the road has long since closed. 

    Super friendly staff and nice facilities. The grounds are extremely well-kept. Sparkling clean bathrooms and generous common areas. Wide lanes and easy access for large rigs. The sites are level and a fairly standard spacing for an RV park. We were fortunate in not having neighbors so it felt like we had more space for our short visit. There are no tables or grills at the individual sites which I generally like to see at this price point. The road noise was tolerable. 

    We got a good laugh at seeing a cell tower across the street and thinking we'd have a strong signal. Nope. Just the slightest, unusable trickle on Verizon and AT&T anyway. I had a meeting to call into so upon checkin they suggested the best place to get a strong connection on their wifi was to be in the main building. I still struggled immensely to connect to begin with and then stay connected even in that scenario which was frustrating, obviously. We didn't have a booster then so I'm not sure if it would have been manageable to continue working with one. 

    They have a nice little dog park and our boy was happy to finally stretch his big legs off-leash. I like that they offer a tent camping area as well which many RV parks don't. That's a big bonus in a remote area with few options since I camp in all the varieties of ways-- RV, auto, and motorcycle. It's nice to know this place is here for any of my adventures.

  • Scott C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Buckeye Hills Regional Park
    Jun. 20, 2017

    Buckeye Hills Regional Park

    Great (late winter) desert camping

    This was one of my favorite free longterm camping spots of all time. Desert flowers were blooming while I was there in January/Feb. Nice enough scenery.

    Lots of RVs around. I was able to find a spot by toilets for my tent and then move into a more private spot after an RV left.

    Fairly busy. Serviced (BLM?), very clean. Feels safe. Next to air force base which is loud and pretty cool, and sheriffs training facility /shooting range which actually is better than a lot of other free Arizona spots because gunshots aren't going off all night and bullets whizzing by from responsible gun owners...

    Was not hassled at all.

    Dry toilets and garbages. But pack out. Garbage piles up. Many options for RV and tents and car campers. Seems they don't ask anyone to move or anything unless they have to.

  • Robert G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Pleasant Harbor RV Resort
    Apr. 24, 2020

    Pleasant Harbor RV Resort

    Great Campground with easy water access...lots of options

    There are several different RV/Camping options at Pleasant Harbor Marina / RV Resort. 

    1. In the resort with Full Hookups

    2. Out on the "flat" with just water and power (dump station on site)

    3. Out on the "flat" with no hookups. (can also tent / car camp)

    As compared to the Maricopa County Parks side, this has a little bit more party atmosphere, is less secluded, but you can almost always get at least a boondocking spot without a reservation. They also have large events here as well so check their calendar for the weekend you are wanting to go!

    We keep a boat at Lake Pleasant and are part of the Arizona Yacht Club so we are up here all the time.

  • Sarah K.
    Camper-submitted photo from Constellation Park
    Jan. 13, 2022

    Constellation Park

    Easy!

    We have camped many times with my family. Many people have RVs in our group and some have tents and truck tents! All are welcome and easy to navigate. Great for individuals and groups. Cheap, just 8$! It is clean, quiet and beautiful views. Close to town and close to fun attractions such as the rodeo or box canyon wash!

  • M
    Camper-submitted photo from Maricopa County Park Lake Pleasant
    Nov. 7, 2021

    Maricopa County Park Lake Pleasant

    Great for beginners

    Very short drive from civilization. Semi developed sites are a good way to break someone in to tent/car camping. Full restrooms and showers nearby. Usually clean.

    You can even hit one of the restaurants at the lake.

    Primitive camping on the shoreline is cool and still not too far from facilities.

  • Finn L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Old Airstrip Camping & Staging Area
    Dec. 18, 2020

    Old Airstrip Camping & Staging Area

    Geared towards rv camping

    We arrived late at night to a site full of off roading vehicles and other ATVs. Obviously a meet.

    The ground is very compact and straight dirt, multiple rvs had generators running so the night was loud. We ended up leaving.

    I'm sure its a sweet spot for off roading and to rv camp but not so much for tents.

  • Greg L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Vulture Peak Road North State Trust Land
    Feb. 15, 2024

    Vulture Peak Road North State Trust Land

    Dispersed AZ ST trust lands

    Rough sloped area at crest by cell tower. There is another better quality road slightly south of this rough upper area that I include in this camping area. This is AZ Trust Land so a $15 online permit is needed to be legit. Cell signal is very good. No toilets, no water, no tables, no dumpsters. Only a few miles into town and a grocery store.

    Only 2 stars as the area is no scenic and had beat down vegetation and general vibe is sketchy with some crapped out tents and campers. .

  • Noah L.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Pleasant Regional Park Campground
    Jul. 18, 2016

    Lake Pleasant Regional Park Campground

    Nice campground, bad experience

    We stayed in Road Runner 41. While the rest of the campground was nice, this site was horrible! We expected rain but their is only one spot to put a tent on this campsite and the water from the road all drains into this spot. Basically our campsite turned into a mini river and was washed away. Other campsites didn't seem to have this issue. The campground wouldn't issue us a refund.

    The views from the campsite were very pretty and it would have been a nice place if it wasn't for the bad river and worst campsite ever.

  • Staci R.
    Camper-submitted photo from White Tank Mountain
    Sep. 12, 2017

    White Tank Mountain

    A desert geode!

    Located at about 203rd Avenue, on the westside of Phoenix, in Waddell Arizona is a tiny little Campground with phenomenal views. There is also a large group campground and a very primitive "camp ground" available, but primitive desert camping requires a LOT of preparation and packing in/out. There are numerous horseback, hiking and biking trails. Family campground has electric and water hookups with a very clean centrally located restroom, that hosts a shower and flushing toilets.

    Views are amazing. Maricopa county operates the campground and has made significant improvements with ramada, gathering areas, grills, fire rings, monthly hikes, educational presentations, a huge public library...every bit in caliber with state and federal campgrounds.

  • S
    Camper-submitted photo from Painted Rock Petroglyph Site And Campground
    Feb. 9, 2022

    Painted Rock Petroglyph Site And Campground

    Don't come for the petroglyphs, but stay for the campsite

    Being from New Mexico, the few petroglyphs are a big yawn, especially given the amount of defacement and graffiti. But if you're looking for large, fairly separated, easy-in, easy-out RVing or tenting – cheap – this is the place. I arrived about 4:30am and waited in the entrance parking area until the hosts got up and around. They were very friendly and helpful. The fees seem to be inconsistently documented ... the sign on the entrance map says $8 to overnight, then there's another sign that adds $2 for a day fee. But the host only asked me for $4, which included a 50% discount for a senior America the Beautiful pass. Some of the sites can be reserved, but most are first come, and there's no real difference in desirability.

    The sites are HUGE compared to the few other campgrounds I've stayed at. They vary in size and usable space, but they do have concrete benches/seats and a fire pit. There are two restrooms at the entrance (one M, one W), plus at the far end there's a one-hole  vault.

    The reviews that comment on the lack of shade have obviously been there on a day like I was there ... this is early February. The day I arrived and the morning I left there was a combined total of ZERO clouds ever in the sky. How brutal is the sun? The air temp during the afternoon was in the mid-upper 60s; a temp gauge I brought recorded 91 in my tent sitting on a table near the corner with the two-sides both getting direct sunlight all day. I put it in the middle of the floor and it dropped to 83. When the sun set it was probably low 60s, but dropped to 37 when I got up at 6:30a to check it. This is the place for an awning or anything that makes shade.

  • Audrey R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from White Tank Mountain
    Oct. 30, 2018

    White Tank Mountain

    Bring water and take a hike

    This area is best for its hiking and photo ops, in my humble opinion. As with most desert campgrounds in Arizona, there is not much privacy between the sites but take advantage of the beauty. The waterfall trail is an easy hike and very doable with kids. You can only bring a stroller so far unless it's an off-roading stroller but the hike is worth it (especially if there's water flowing). There's a playground across from the trailhead in case all else fails and someone stays behind with he little ones. Restrooms are thoughtfully placed here. DO watch for rattle snakes on this trail and all for that matter. Also, bring a lot of water and then some. Stop at the Visitor Center and library on your way in. You're not far removed from civilization so anything you need is just a brief drive away.

  • James F.
    Camper-submitted photo from Sonoran Desert RV Park
    Feb. 13, 2020

    Sonoran Desert RV Park

    An oasis in the desert!

    This is an amazing oasis in the desert!! We stayed for 5 nights this time and loved every minute. We attended the holiday potluck and card bingo afterwards and had a great time. The staff is amazingly friendly and truly make you feel welcome and valued. Scott (owner) is on the premises and is constantly improving the facility in both big ways and in small. It’s all in the details. We have stayed at many KOA from Arizona to Montana to Illinois and this one is by far the best!! We have even stayed at KOA Holiday level facilities that cost much more and were not as nice. If you like big campsites, quiet, lots of stars, great facilities including a big sparkling heated pool, super friendly staff and an oasis in the desert for 1 night or several, this is the place to stop. Consider driving out of you way to stay too. You won’t regret it.

  • Crystal C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from White Tank Mountain
    Oct. 31, 2018

    White Tank Mountain

    Desert Camping With Great Hiking

    If you like rock scrambling there is plenty of that at the White Tank Mountain Regional Park. Staying here you will find that hiking is your major focus as typical desert style camping is made special by the excitement of the trails around you.

    The family campground is not one of the largest campgrounds you will find in this region but it fair sized. Spaces are large and spread out making it a great fit for tent campers or RV campers.

    When I visited I stayed in campsite 29, on the top of the far side of the loop on the one way drive in. I was a few hundred yards from the restroom facility on a back in space which outlooked toward the desert entirely. The outer ring of the loop, you can literally hike right out of your campsite and be in the middle of everything. I will say however that had I have known a bit more about the area before visiting I probably would have selected sites 19 or 20 which are literally on the hiking loop for Ironwood.

    My campsite was pretty typical with a rocky flat area to set up my tent, a grill and picnic table. My site had no shade which was ok when I visited in early spring but would have been way to hot to have stayed here during late spring or summer. This was considered to be a developed site which was $32 a night but I managed to somehow get it for a semi-developed price of $22, still not sure how that happened. LUCKY ME!!

    While out here it was truly all about the hiking!! There were over 10 trails which circled and wound around ranging in intensity and distance for any skill level. I tackled the moderate ironwood trail which runs into the Ford Trail, one of the longest trails at the park. I didn't do the entire Ford Trail and instead cut over to another trail at an intersection which looped back into camp. From there I ended up driving to another trailhead, Mule Deer, and moving on from there because it hiked by the nature center.

    The nature center here was very cool and I always recommend stopping in if there is one available, if nothing else to get a better idea of what kind of wildlife to watch out for in the area you are visiting.

    TIPS:

    • Bring lots of water. Though there are fresh water stations around, the water seemed to have an odd taste to me, I would recommend bringing water especially if you are sensitive to tastes.

    • Check out the Ford Canyon or Goat Camp trails if you are really into a challenge. These have a lot of rock scrambling and some of the highest heights in the park. If you want an easy hike with a great view check out the Waterfall Canyon Trail.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from White Tank Mountain
    May. 3, 2022

    White Tank Mountain

    Convenient to Phoenix

    General: Located less than an hour from Phoenix, this campground is an easy getaway. There are two campgrounds: The Family Campground (40 sites) with water and 30/50 amp electric hookups and the more“rustic” Willow Canyon Campground (19 sites) with no hookups. This campground is good for tents, campervans, or small (16 feet or less) trailers. There was a gate attendant when we checked in around 6 pm on a Monday and we were given an information packet with information on the campground, nearby facilities in the town of Surprise, and trails, which was very helpful considering we were not familiar with the area. 

    Site Quality: We stayed in the Family Campground so we could take advantage of the electric hookups. The sites are gravel, a good size, well-maintained, and spaced a decent amount of distance apart. Some are pull-through and some back-in. In addition to the aforementioned water and electric hookups, each site also has a picnic table, bbq grill, and fire pit. Some have covered picnic shelters but not all. Most of these also have space for tents. 

    Bathhouse: Is located in the center of the loop and was clean. Sites on the inside have paths leading to the bathhouse but if you are on the outside of the loop, access is via a path between sites 34 and 36 or sites 11 and 13. Three stalls, one sink, and one shower. One sink is not really adequate for 40 sites, but I did not encounter more than one other person at a time. Soap dispenser, rack, and air dryer. The way the water faucets are is wasteful: once you turn them on, they run for quite some time before turning off. Hot water was appreciated. Did not use the shower so cannot comment on that. 

    Activities: Several hiking trails. The most popular one is the waterfall trail, but you need to drive to the trailhead for this. It is paved for the first half mile (shortly after the petroglypghs) and then it is a rocky, gravel path. The waterfall only runs after heavy rain (I would think this would make access very challenging). There was water in the “pool” and it is scenic so it was worthwhile to go despite no running falls. There are restrooms, a picnic area and a playground near this trailhead. Some of the other trails are used by mountain bikers or horseback riders. The information you receive at check-in details the usage for each trail. 

    This campground was mainly an overnight as we continued to head west but I am glad we took the time to hike the waterfall trail before leaving. If you need groceries or other supplies, the town of Surprise, about 8 miles to the east, would have everything you need. Note there is a nearby air force base and you will hear jets flying by, although this was during daylight hours.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Skyline Regional Park
    Dec. 10, 2023

    Skyline Regional Park

    Small campground, very popular day-use park

    General: Very small (7-site) campground. One site is ADA-accessible and paved (the rest are gravel) but there are no hookups at any site. 

    Site Quality: Generous-sized gravel driveways; Site D sloped uphill slightly. A concrete picnic table, BBQ grill, and fire pit complete the site. I was a little surprised that the picnic tables did not have shelters as it gets quite hot in Arizona (the day-use pavilions were covered). 

    Restroom: Two-stall, one-sink restroom. No showers. This restroom is also used by the day-use area so by the end of the day, it looks like it has been well-used. It was cleaned at night. It looked like the sink was clogged, but it was just slow draining. 

    Activities: Hiking! There are several hiking trails directly accessible from the campground and all the trails are well-marked. There is a short (.6 mile) ADA-accessible trail. Horseback riding and mountain biking are also activities although we saw neither in our two days at this park. There was also a wildly popular star-gazing event while we were there. 

    Final thoughts: IMO, the best sites are B, C, and D. Site D especially has no visible neighbors on either side. Kudos to the city of Buckeye – they could have easily crammed a half-dozen more campsites in this area, but I am glad they did not! As I mentioned, this is a popular day-use area and by 7 am on a weekend in early April, the day-use parking lot was completely full. Despite this, we did not see too many people on the trails.

  • Chenery K.
    Camper-submitted photo from Skyline Regional Park
    Oct. 20, 2017

    Skyline Regional Park

    Fantastic hiking! Camping. . . not so much.

    Skyline Regional Park, Buckeye AZ

    www.skylineregionalpark.com and camping page www.skylineregionalpark.com/camping/ 

    This is a brand new park in the city of Buckeye, AZ at the south end of the White Tank Mountains and is located about 20 miles from White Tanks Regional Park in the Maricopa County Parks district (see my review). The park itself is very pretty, all of the amenities are new and fresh, and several of the trails are under active construction. 

    This is a very popular and BUSY park for mountain bikers - I was surprised to see the trailhead parking lot nearly full (almost 2 dozen cars) on a Thursday late afternoon/evening, and as people came back to the lot to leave nearly all of them were mountain bikers, with a few hikers mixed in.

    The good - 

    It’s neat and clean, nice new restrooms with flush toilets and sinks that also have motion lights to conserve energy - they stay dark at night, so there are fewer bugs swarming around the entrances, although the restrooms are marked with bee warnings.

    The campsites are level, evenly spaced away from each other on a long loop, and have big sturdy concrete picnic tables along with a fire ring and standing grill. The parking spaces are easy to back into and help to block the view of some of the campsite from the road.

    I stayed in site D, which is at the top of the low hill that composes a loop of 7 sites (A-G) but sites E and F would be my choice next time, as they are terraced into the hill as it comes down from the peak sites of C and D - each of the sites E and F have an erosion wall that makes nice seating (see photo)

    Site G is currently under construction, and was not available for reservation as of my stay in the middle of October, but will be the site closest to the restroom and trail head when it’s available. Not a big issue, as each site is only a few dozen yards from each other.

    The trail head has a nice map of the available trails, covered ramadas with recycle containers along with trash receptacles, and even a shaded horse hitching post area with an automatic horse waterer. There is no potable water for people to drink in this park.

    The sites are cleared of brush/cacti and have a nice wide gravel path to the restroom - I carried a UV light but didn’t see any scorpions anywhere near the road or my camp, which is certainly not the case just up the road in White Tanks Regional part, where the campsites are more desert/less groomed (but have water&electric).

    The less than good - 

    It’s pretty boring. There are 7 sites that are basically identical with the same view of the trailhead parking lot - it’s nice that the restroom is close, but there’s not much privacy for any of the sites. No trees of any significant size, so none of the sites have appreciable shade available.

    I’m not sure who these sites were designed for - they are deep enough for RVs to back in, but there is no electric or water, and they recommend driving 5 miles away to a truck stop as the closest RV dump site and pay showers, so that can’t be very convenient for non-tent campers. 

    The campsites have a nice flat area for a tent, but it’s next to the “driveway” rather than at the back of the site so your tent has NO privacy from the road/trailhead parking lot, and the entire camping loop is located on a very uninteresting section of terrain. 

    The park is far enough from the freeway (2 miles) that it’s quiet, and tucked into the foothills enough to block the city lights from Phoenix, so stargazing is quite nice. However, it’s under a flight path from Phoenix to San Diego/Los Angeles, so every few minutes a jet blinks through your sky space. It’s also apparently under a flight path for Luke Air Force Base, and I had several noisy jets pass overhead just as I was settling in for the night. I live in the area so those jets are a constant background noise in my life and they were no big deal to me, but might be unsettling for someone who was really looking for a “peace and quiet” camping experience.

    There was a fire ban in effect during my stay and they don’t announce them on their website - you have to remember to call and ask before you get there. However, even during a fire ban you can use your fire pit and grill, so it’s really not a big deal unless you were planning to set up camp way out in the desert somewhere.

    My least favorite -

    The mountain bikers take these trails seriously and are out on the trails with head lamps and bike lights until LATE at night, and their voices carry all over the park so this is NOT a quiet place to camp. 

    The signage all says that the trails are open from sunup until sundown, and that the park gates close at 10pm. The reality is that the hikers and mountain bikers wear lights and stay out on the trails until far after sundown because even though my campsite reservation said I would need to use a gate code to leave the park after 10pm, that is not the case. The gate leaving the park has an auto-opening feature, so you can drive up to it in the middle of the night and it will be triggered to open and let you out. Day-use park visitors can and do stay until very late, as there is no consequence for being in the park after the trails “close” or even after 10pm, since they don’t risk being locked in. I didn’t see any park employees driving around to enforce the park closing time, and I did become a little concerned (as I was the only camper that night, and alone with my dogs) when someone drove up to use the restroom at the trailhead at 11:30pm (car headlights shining directly into my camp of course) - again, not much privacy.

    All in all - I’d come back to this park to hike any day of the week. The trails are wide and new and well maintained, and it’s a new area to explore. As far as camping goes, there are plenty of nice parks not far from here, so I’d probably recommend driving an extra half hour to one of the Maricopa county parks at Estrella Mountain or White Tanks to take advantage of the same or better mountain views with more amenities.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Saddle Mountain BLM (Tonopah, AZ)
    Jan. 26, 2021

    Saddle Mountain BLM (Tonopah, AZ)

    Excellent boondocking

    Saddle Mountain is an amazing place to stay. There are lots of trails for hiking or mountain biking, and a few ATVs but they are not bothersome. The various roads that take you closer to the mountain can be quite rocky so keep in mind your vehicle clearance while driving in. 

    The further you get away from the eastern side the better, as that is where people are shooting. Only heard gun shots a couple times while we were there. 

    There are so many good spots to choose from here. The ground is a bit rocky but there are some spots with smoothed out surfaces that would be good for tents. 

    People in other reviews have complained about flies swarming and being an issue due to a poultry farm nearby but they were not bad. A few pesty flies but nothing to drive us away. We probably got lucky with the wind direction while we were there.

    There is some road noise if you’re close to the main road but otherwise it's not bad. There was minimal trash around and we packed out some extra when we left. 

    There are many other RVers here, but the area is so spread out and open that you still feel like you have privacy.  Closer to the mountain the spots are closer together, so for us the sweet spot was midway between the road and the mountain - quiet and secluded.

    There are only a few chollas but they are further up on the mountain so it is fairly safe to let your dogs run free without having to pick cholla spikes out of them. 

    If you are into rockhounding then Saddle Mountain is your place for chalcedony and fire agates. You’ll see several people walking around multiple times a day with their heads down searching for these very cool gems. 

    Good Verizon & ATT, 4 bars 

    Another perk is that down the road about 5 miles is a place called Saddle Vista Ranch where you can dump and fill you tanks and dump trash for a fee. The guy is really nice and he’s got friendly pigs and chickens and tortoises you can visit. We paid $15 plus another 5 to dump a garbage can full of trash. There are cheaper places to dump but this is so convenient that it is worth it especially if you are planning on staying a while in the area.  

    Nearby in Wintersburg the General Store there has bulk propane and a small convenience store, and a Dollar General on the corner.

  • Ray & Terri F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from El Dorado Hot Springs
    May. 4, 2023

    El Dorado Hot Springs

    Groovy, eclectic little oasis in the desert

    We have a 36’ Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow and stayed for just an overnight in early May. This is a small, eclectic CG and hot springs if you’re into that sort of thing. They have several private soaking pools and one larger clothing optional soaking area. The sites are gravel and spaced fairly far apart. We had a soak in a private pool. I’m not sure how hot the other soaking areas are, but I would characterize ours, the Sunset, as pleasantly warm, but not hot.

    AT&T coverage was quite good, with 2-3 Bars of 5GE service and speeds up to 17 MB/s.

  • G
    Camper-submitted photo from Saddle Mountain BLM (Tonopah, AZ)
    Jan. 9, 2021

    Saddle Mountain BLM (Tonopah, AZ)

    Great Dispersed camping

    This is one of my favorite areas to boondock in the southwest winter season. The views are phenomenal ! To my surprise I thought it would be crowded here this year, but no. As soon as you turn off of W Salome Hwy on to W Courthouse rd you’ll find at least 9 or more entrances that lead up towards the mountain. Some better than others, meaning they can be very rocky, so be careful of tire damage. Like any time your looking for a site, park in a safe place and search by either foot or in my case ebike. I have found the last couple roads in on the far west to be the smoothest, but they are also more populated. Sites here can accommodate the big rigs, but the smaller you are the more options you have. This BLM, 14 day maximum.


Guide to Tonopah

Tent camping near Tonopah, Arizona, offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the stunning desert landscape while enjoying the simplicity of nature. With various options available, campers can find the perfect spot to set up their tents and unwind.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • At Buckeye Hills Regional Park, you'll find a serene environment ideal for tent camping, though be prepared for a more rustic experience as amenities like firewood and picnic tables are not provided.

Tips for tent camping near Tonopah

  • When visiting Margies Cove West Campground, be ready for a secluded experience with no toilets or picnic tables, making it essential to come prepared with your own supplies.

Explore local activities

  • The Boulders OHV Area offers miles of trails for off-road adventures, perfect for those looking to combine tent camping with exciting outdoor activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular tent campsite near Tonopah, AZ?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Tonopah, AZ is Boulders OHV Area with a 4-star rating from 5 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find tent camping near Tonopah, AZ?

    TheDyrt.com has all 3 tent camping locations near Tonopah, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.